A beach vacation is something we all yearn for. Add exotic elements like a luxurious stay, a unique experience, an adventure like never before, and it becomes the dream vacation of your life. Here are a few island destinations with unique characteristics to make your seaside experiences a little more interesting!

Maldives

Well, no list of vacation islands can be complete without the Maldives! One of the most popular and exotic of luxury island escapes, Maldives is known for its signature crystal clear water, unique marine life, luxury accommodations, and private celebrity properties. The islands offer serenity and peace and are one of the most popular destinations for couples. The water bungalows of Maldives have created the iconic landscape of the region. Among the cluster of 1,192 islands of the region, only 200 are inhabited. Unfortunately, the islands are slowly sinking due to the rising sea levels caused by global warming. So, unless serious measures are initiated, the world will lose this beloved slice of heaven in the near future.

Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii is another popular and exotic island destination. Among the many scenic islands of this region, the Big Island is unique with its immersive serene landscape and breathtaking natural wonders. The island is home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and if your timing is right, you can have the unforgettable experience of witnessing steamy, fiery lava pouring into the sea from the volcano top. Also known as the ‘island of adventure,’ the Big Island is a popular activity destination with its famed nighttime deep water diving, thrilling Waipio Valley trekking, and many other activities. Luxurious accommodations and gourmet cuisine options around every corner complete this exotic island’s vacation experience.

Galapagos Island

It’s not an overstatement that a trip to the Galapagos Island can change your view of the world forever! A UNESCO World Heritage site, Galapagos Islands is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, rich in biodiversity and astonishing wildlife, residing both above and below the surface. With such an abundance of wildlife and marine life, you will probably spot at least two to three varieties, basking, bathing, crawling, swimming, roaming, or flying. With different seasons throughout the year, the Galapagos Island provides the visitors the exclusive opportunity of getting up close with nature and basking in all its glory.

Stuffed cabbage is one of the most beloved traditional Hungarian dishes that many European countries have adopted in different ways in their own cuisines. Being Hungary’s oldest crop dating back almost eight millennia, cabbage arguably is a product of Slavic culture that has long been a focal point in the country’s cuisine.

This Typical Hungarian Dish Was Once Called ‘Cabbage Meat’

Although the first written mention of the so-called ‘cabbage meat’ (that wasn’t ‘stuffed’) was in a 1662 manuscript cookbook, the dish was already vastly popular in Hungary. In fact, people even called it the “Coat of Arms of Hungary.” Some people claim that the recipe came from the Turks and quickly spread around the Balkans, but history is still inconclusive.

Before paprika came to Europe, cabbage meat wasn’t yet prepared with sauerkraut, but people rather used saffron, ginger, and pepper to season the dish. Hungarian people later developed a dill sour cream side to complement the recipe, thus creating a new typical Christmas meal. Years later, the rolled stuffed cabbage appeared.

How to Prepare Stuffed Cabbage

Ingredients

• 1 head cabbage or the equivalent amount of sauerkraut leaves
• 200g rice
• 500g minced meat
• 500-600g sauerkraut
• 2 tablespoons condensed tomatoes
• 2 eggs
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 onions
• bacon and/or sausages (based on your preference)
• ground red pepper
• bay leaf
• cumin
• pepper and salt to taste

Directions

If you’ve chosen to use fresh cabbage, you’ll need to cut the bottom of the head and place it in a pot of water until the leaves are soft enough to fold into rolls. Then, mix the uncooked rice and minced meat with the condensed tomatoes, 2 eggs, 1 onion, and 1 clove of garlic.

Fill the cabbage leaves with that mixture and layer the rolls into a large greased pan. Put the remaining diced onions, garlic, and cabbage in between the layers of rolls. Don’t forget to season every row with salt, pepper, cumin, bay leaves, and Hungarian paprika. Pack the rolls neatly and cover the dish with water, so it covers all the rolls.

Cook over medium to low heat for about two hours (covered) and then check periodically until it’s cooked through. You can serve with sour cream, tomato paste, or a topping of your choice. Enjoy!